Writing guide for the blind



Nov. 24, 1959 Filed Feb 28, 1958 C. L. STRUNK WRITING GUIDE FOR THE BLIND 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Charles L. Strunk INVENTOR.

BY w zs Nov. 24, 1959 c. 1.; STRUNK 2,913,336

WRITING GUIDE FOR THE BLIND Filed Feb. 28, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 16 4 46 x Charles L. Strunlr Fig 4 INVENTOR.

BY M m This invention relates generally to writing aids, and more particularly to awriting guide forthe blind.

Blind persons because of their aflliction are not able to write letters wherein the lines will be spaced from and parallel. to each other, as is the case with Qcouventionally written "letters."lhis, ofcourse, is understandable since these persons have no means for ascertaining whether or not the writing is on a horizontal line. Therefore, their letters are usually written wherein the lines are tilted at an angle upwardly or downwardly, or in some cases even intersect each other. Therefore, the primary object of this invention is to provide a writing guide for the blind, so that persons whose sight is affected to an extent that they cannot clearly determine whether the lines they are writing are parallel, may write neat letters in a ready and simple manner.

A further object of this invention isto provide a device of the. character described wherein persons so afflicted will, by the use of this device, be able to have complete control over both the envelope and the paper, which is absolutely necessary in the writing of a letter.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device of the character described, wherein a plurality of sheets may be stored therein, so that when it is necessary to use more than one sheet, the uppermost sheet may be removed, very simply, and expose a clean fresh sheet for continued writing.

An even further object of this invention is to provide stops or projections which will allow the envelopes and writing paper to be correctly placed within the device by feel alone without the necessity for a person to see what he is doing.

An even fiirther object of this invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive device yet one which is exceedingly effective for the purpose for which it is designed.

This invention contemplates the use of a unit which has a tray for a bottom. This tray has projections extending therefrom, which support the envelopes and writing paper in proper location within the tray itself. Lips are provided along two of the upper edges of the tray so as to suitably position a stencil therein. This stencil which overlies the writing paper and the envelopes, has spaced, parallel slots formed therein which act as guideways in which writing may be placed, by feel alone, and are so set out asto properly be positioned over an envelope for adjusting the same, and over a writing paper for writing a letter. Notches are provided in one side of the tray, on one of the sides opposite to the lips, so that the thumb or forefinger of a person may be inserted therein in order to remove the stencil when desired, as for instance when removing the envelope and writing paper which has just been written upon, or when placing a fresh supply of envelopes and writing paper within the device.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the ac- Uniwd S a Es 2,913,836 Patented Nov.- 24, 1959 i 2 conipanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the writing guidecomprising the present invention illustrating the writing paper and envelopes in phantom lines;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the tray which is used to hold the various components of the writing g de;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along'the plane defined byreference line 33 of Figure 1 illustrating details of construction thereof; and 1 Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the plane defined by reference line 4-4 of Figure -1,'illustrating 'furtherdetails of construction.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the numeral lfljgenerally designates the writing guide comprising the present invention which is constructed of a tray 12, and a stencil 14 which fits therein.

The tray 12 is constructed of 'a single sheet of material, although it is to be understood that it may be made of 7 several componentparts. The tray has a flat bottom 16, and upstanding side walls 18 and 20, and also upstanding end walls 22 and 24. An inwardly extending lip 26 is connected along the upper edge of side wall 20, while a similar lip 28 is connected to the upper edge of the end wall 24. A space 30 is provided in the middle of the lip 28, and divides this lip into two separate parts. Notches 32 are formed in bottom 16, adjacent the side wall 18, and openings 34 formed in the side wall 18 communicate with these notches 32. Two spaced slots 36 in vertical alignment with each other and near and parallel to side wall 18, are formed in the bottom 16 with the flaps 38 which are punched out to form these slots 36 being bent upwardly at right angles to the bottom 16, so as to provide a gauging surface for the writing paper. A horizontal slot 40 is punched out of the bottom 16 and is disposed above the slots 36 and adjacent side wall 20, with the punched out tab 42 being perpendicular to bottom 16, so as to provide an upper gauging surface for writing paper. A second horizontal slot 44 is punched in bottom 16, parallel to slot 40, but a small amount thereabove, and closer to wall 18, and a punched out tab 46 is also perpendicular to bottom 16, and this tab 46 provides a gauging surface for envelopes to be located in the upper portion of tray 12.

Stencil 14 is constructed of a flat plate 48 of the same size and shape as bottom 16. This plate 48 may be positioned on tray 12, with the upper edges of the tray walls, andthe lips 26 and 28, being used to place the stencil plate 48 into its proper position. Vertical slots 50 are formed in the stencil plate 48 in such a position as to overlie the tabs 38 when the stencil is in correct position. Horizontal slots 52 and 54 are formed in the stencil plate 48 and when the stencil is in correct position, the slot 52 will overlie tab 46 while slot 54 overlies tab 42. Writing paper 56 is inserted into the tray and abuts against the upstanding tabs 38 and 42, while envelopes 58 are inserted in the upper portion of the tray and held in position by engaging tab 46. A plurality of spaced parallel slots 60 are formed in stencil 48 directly overlying the writing paper 56, so that a blind person may write in these slots onto the writing paper 56, and by meansof the slots 60 engage the location of the lines so that the writing will be in spaced parallel lines. Other slots 62 are formed in the upper portion of the stencil overlying the envelopes 58, so that the envelopes may be properly addressed and the same guiding means provided therefor.

In use, a stack of writing paper would be inserted into the proper position within the tray, and also a stack of envelopes. Then, the stencil plate 48 may be positional thereupon, and the writing may be commenced. After claimed-as fi'ewis as follows:

the firstsheet has been written, it is merely necessary to insert ones finger into the opening 34 and recess 32 whereby the stencil plate 48 is engaged and the same may be lifted up so that; the uppermost sheet of paper may be moved thus exposing a fresh sheet. This may be continued until the writing is completed. As the stack of paper andgthe envelopes diminishes, the stencil will move downwardly within the tray, and eventually the tabs 38, 40 and 46 will extend upwardly through the slots 50, SZ and 54 provided in the stencil 48, so that the stencil will be even more positively located within the tray.

It may now be seen that a new and improved type of writing "guide for the blind has thus beenprovided,

wherein a sightless person may write a neat letter with little-or no trouble being'involvedl The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention tothe exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

1. A writing guide for the blind comprising a tray for accommodating a stack of writing paper and having a bottom and side walls, guide means for properly locating the paper in said tray including aligned vertical flaps on said bottom adjacent to and parallel with one side wall, a stencil removably positioned above said fiaps and removably fitted between the sidewalls of said tray, said stencil having a pluralityof s'paced parallel slots therein for providing guideways for writing on; the paper, said slots being spaced from the line of said flaps and from the other side wallof the tray' to provide margins on the paper. I v

2. A writing guide according to claim I. one of said side walls havingopenings therein and said bottom having notches therein communicating with said openings whereby to provide finger grip openings for use in grasping and removing the stencil.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS i,37o,1j45' Sharp; Aug. 2; 1932 2,107, 15 Rolleston t Apr. 26, 1955 

